Cable bumper



Feb. s, 1929. 1,101,308

R. l-lq ROSENBERG CABLE BUMPER Filed Nov. 25, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Engl` lliglLY i i f Y ATTORNEY Q lv i i 45\in cable mats.- c

. 3 the accompanying drawings, in which Patented Feb.v 5, l929.

UNITED STATES x1,701,308 PATENT OFFICE.

RALPH E. ROSENBERG, OF SYI'LACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 AMERICAN CABLCOMPANY, INC., A CORPORATION F DELAWARE: f

\ CABLE Application led November 23, 1926. Serial No. l150,194.

This invention relates to bumpers, and' more particularly to bumpers,ofthe resilient type, constructed to resist impact, and employing cableor similar flexible members as a whole or part of the impact receivingmember.

An object of the invention is to provide a bumper comprising a mat oflaterally extending flexible members such as cables held if.' in asuitable clamping device under tension between the ends of a resilientsupporting bar, adapted to be secured to a vehicle.

A further object is to provide a bumper of such strength that it willsustain the shock of a considerable impact without injury to the vehicleorv obstruction, and which neverthelesspresents alight and pleasingappearance.

Another object is to provide a novel method 2f of forming an impactelement out of cables by steps which can be carried out quickly and withlittle expenditure of timeand material by relatively unskilled labor,and which will result in the production of a mat 2f of cables accuratelyaligned and uniform in len th and tension. f

clear conception may be had of the structure and objects of thisinventionfrom the following. description, in conjunction with Fig. 1discloses one end of the bumper in a plan view. Fig. 2 is a front viewof one end of the bumper.- .f

Fig. 3 is a detail view, taken in the directionof arrow 3, showing anend shoe or holdin member withgthe-cables omittedig. 4 is a detail viewin elevation partly]l in cross section, of the mat of cables, Wit

an attaching member secured thereto.

Fig. 5 -is a cross section ofthe resilient s up- JFig. 6 is a plan viewof the entire bumper.

F-ig. 7 shows a machine`adaptable for makig. 8 is a plan view of Fig. 7.

'- The now preferred f om oi'buinper coniprises an im actAelement,.constituted by a mat ofV longitudinally extending*v cables l3,

'damped in spaced relation at each end bya transverse block of metal 12;

' The mat ma lbe formedv by an suitable have devised a novgl ofconstructing s uch impact elements which CheapnesS, and the accuracy anduniformity of product for which it provides. .In pursuance of thisimportant object of the invention the component cables B are extendedlengthwise in spaced relation side by side, and their ends'are passedthrough suitable apertures 10 in a metal block disposed transversely ofthe cables. The block, with the cables in place therein, is thencompressed by suitable means, as for example by a coin press, until thematerial of the block, such as soft steel, is compacted into theperipheral helical interstices ot the cables,vso that the cables andblock constitute an integrated structure, as indicated in Fig. 4.

In practice, a number of such blocks may conveniently be first strungupon the cables, and when the end block has 'been attached as abovedescribed, it may be pulled along, drawing with it the'cables until thedesired length of mat intervenes between the end block and the nextblock, which is to constitute the connecting member at the other end ofthe cable mat, and while uniform tension is maintained on each cable t0insure uniformity of lengthandvtension, the said next block is similarlycompressed, and the cables severedon the outer side of the block, themat being then complete asl a unitary, separable artlcle, ready forinstallation on the bumper.

' The cables may be tensioned by any wel1 known means, but preferably byclam `ing each cable to an arm on' which is susp'en ed a' weight,th'elength of the arm and the weights being the same foreach cable, therebyplacing thevseparate cables under an equal strain.

This cable mat is adapted to be supported under'tension by a suitablesupporting structure, consisting preferably of -a resilient back bar 1,furnished at@ each end with an arcshaped shoe or holding member 2. Thisshoe is formed at.8 with a seat against which the i block 12 ispositioned, the block being preferably rabbeted at 9 to receive ashoulder 15 vformed upon the seat 8, and which aids to preventdisplacement of the block 12. Bolts 14 may also be provided ltoholdthehlock in lace,passingthrough holes 20 and vscrewed mtosockets 19formed in the seat 8.

The outer arcuate surface 'of the shoe 1s.

' formed with open grooves 4 within which lie A method thefcables 3 inspaced relation,vas illustrated .',clearly in Fig.- 2.

- The holding member 2 has a slotted portion !10 vresilient supportingar 1, and bolts 7, serv- 5, adapted to receive the free end 6 of the ingto hold the mem r 2 in assembled relation with the baril, as shownclearly in Fig. 1.

It is to'be understood thatl in Fig. 1, only one end of the bumperstructure has been illustrated, and that the complete supportingstructure includes a similar holding member 2 at the'other end of thebar 1; also that before the cable mat has been applied to these holdingmembers, the bar 1 is bent slightly at under tension.

itsendsl so that before applying the mat, the end ortions 6 of the bar1, with their holding mem ers 2 bolted thereto, are flexed forward intoapproximately the position shown in Fig. 1, and the cable .mat isstretched around the holding members 2 and the blocks 12 are seated andsecured by the -lbolts 14, with the portionsof the cables 3 near theirends lying in the grooves 4 as shown in Fig. 2.

Then the flexed ends '6 are released, and the resiliency of the bar 1places the cable mat The bumper may then be secured in place upon avehicle by any suitable form of attachment, which preferably will beapplied at approximately the region occupied by the designating numerall1 in Fig- 1.

The resilient supporti-ng bar is reinforced through its -center portionby means of a stiffened rib such as indicated at 18. This rib is ofvarying depth starting at the ends level with the bar and increasing ytoarmaximum depth at the center, thereby forming a stiff center portion inthe bar with the end portions capable of a high degree of resiliency.-Thi s rib may be conveniently formed. by swagmg or stamping the materialof bar 1 4longitudinally in /the shape illustrated in ,I The bar 1 andthe blocksl 12 caribe readily finished cheaply, as byjapanning, and thecables may be finished with a bright or dull finish, as for example bysherardizing, so that the appearance of the bumper as a whole isattractive, and also gives the 4desirable effect of strength. A

If desiredth cable mat may be provided at suitable intervals withclamps, such as'those shown at 16,- and these maybe disposed in such'amanner as to give an ornamental effect. Fig. 7 discloses a:y machinewhich is designed to facilitate the making of cable mats.

l is complete.

,The machine consists of a bed-plate21 set on standards 22. At one endis mountedan' arm 23 having a screw 24 surmounted by a handwheel 25. In'the bed, 21, directly below the screw 24 is a slot 26 to accommodateblock 70 12 which is held firmly in position by means of the screw 24.

A die 27 is set in the bed at a pre-determined distance from slot 26which accommodatesthe second block 17. This die also has a second recess34 for compressing a second block similar to'12. This die is a part of acoin-press, the other half being shown at 28.- At the far end' of thebed from arm'23 is a seriesof clamping devices 29, with handwheels 30,having means to hold each cable separately. Arms 31 are attached to eachof the clamps 29 having a circular plate suspended therefrom on which,may be added weights, until the correct weight is reached' to give thetype of cable used a sufficient amount of tension. `Each clampingdeviceis pivoted at 37 and is, therefore, free to move under the actionof arms-31. A bar 36 is y in use. A guide roller 32, and a storage reel,33, areprovided at the end of the machine for holding a4 supply of thecable.

As has been describedabove, the cables 3 are threaded through. blocks 12and 17.

Block 12 is lthen placed in recess 34 and compressed by lthe coin-press,after which it is drawn forward to recess 26 and clamped in place bywheel 25. The block 17,v is then moved along the cable and into positionin recess 35 of die 27. All ofthe cables. are now clamped in theirrespectiveI clamps 29 by means of wheels 3 0. After all are securelyfastened, the bar 36 is withdrawn, allowing ythe arms 31 to swing free,thereby putting all ofthe cables under an equal strain. The coin pressis now operated and block 17 compressed,'after which the ends of thecables outside of block 17 are severed and the mat' It is apparent thata plurality of mats may bemade in sequencein this 'manner by threading aplurality of blocks onto the cables and compressing the block 12of onemat at the Sametime that block 17 of another mat is compressed.

In operation, bumper near the center, the cable mat will move inwardlyturning the ends of spring 1 -toward each other. Owing' to the tensionof the spring and cable the natural function is to return to normal.- Asa result the vehicle will sustain the impact with little or no damage toeither and the bumper'will eventually resume its normal osition.

Should "the bumper liit an obstruction at or near either end, theadjacent end of the spring 1 will be bent outward the remote end will beturnedA inward and forward, thereby tending to take up the provided.which supports the arms when not 90 'if an obstruction is hit by theand'back and I shock. When the tension is removed, spring,

and cables will take up their normal, alignment once more.

The cable matbeing of flexible material, obviates damage by marring ordamaging any object that the bumper may hit, as it takes rather thangives a blow under impact.

I claim:

1. In a bumper of the class described, an impact element comprising aplurality of flexible members having recessed peripheries and. extendedlengthwise in spaced relation and united by a transverse connectingmember compressed upon said flexible members to constitute an integratedstructurectherewith, the material of said connecting member beingindented by, and filling the voids in, said fiexible members.

2. In a bumper ot the class described, an

impact element comprising. a lurality of ilexible members havingrecessedpperipheries and extended lengthwise in spaced relation y ndunited by a transverse connecting member compressed upon said flexiblemembers permanently to constitute an integrated structure therewith, t ematerial of said connecting member being indented by, and filling thevoids in, said flexible members.

3. In a bumper of thev las described; an

impact element comprising a plurality of flexible members having recesseperipheries and extended lengthwise/in spaced. relation v and united bya transverse connecting member compressed upon said flexible membersA`impact element comprisin dented by, and filling the voids in, saidpermanently to constitute an integrated structure therewith, said impactelement having a plurality of said transversey connectingmembers-arranged in spaced relation, whereby said flexible membersandic'onnecting' members constitute a unitary Amat structure capable ofapplic-ation to, and removal from, said bumper, asa separable element,the ma- Iterial of said connecting member bein inexible members. e 4. Ina bumper of the class described, an a plurality of stranded wire cablesexten ed lengthwise in spaced relation and united by a transverseconnecting member compressed upon said cables to constitute anintegrated structure therewith, the material 01EV said connecting memberbeing indented b and filling the voids in, said fiexible mem ers. l

5. In a bumper of thefclass described, an impact element comprisingI aplurality of strane1 ed wire cables exten ed lengthwise'v in spacedrelation and united` by a/ transverse connecting member compressed upon(said cables to constitute an integrated structure therewith, thematerial of said connecting member being indented by, and filling thevoids in, said flexible members, said impact element havinga pluralityofsaid'transverse connecting members arranged in spaced' rela.-

tion, whereby said cables and connecting -members constitute a unitarymat structure capable of'application to and removal from,

lsaid bumper, as a separable element.

stranded wire cablesextended lengthwise in Y spaced relation and unitedat their adjacent ends by a transverse connecting member-of relativelysofter metal, compressed upon said endsoto constitute an integratedstructure v therewith, the material of said connecting member beingindented`by, and filling the voids in, said flexible members, saidimpact element havinga plurality of said transverse connecting membersarranged near the res ective ends of the cables', whereby' said ea lesand connecting members constitute a unitary mat structure capable ofapplication to and removal from, said bumper, as a separable element'.

8. In a bumper ofthe class described, an

Vimpact element comprising a plurality of 'arranged in spaced relation,whereb stranded wire cables extended lengthwise in' spaced relation andunited by a transverse .connecting member of relatively softer metal,

having transversely spaced apertures to re-V -ceive said cables` thematerial of said connecting member being compressed upon said cables-toconstitute an integrated structure therewith.

9. I na bumper of the class described, an I impact element comprisingaplurality of stranded wire cables extended lengthwise in v nectingmemberbeing compressed upon said cables and entering the peripheralinterstices thereof, to constitute an integrated structurev therewith,said impact element having a lu rality of said transverse connectingmemers cables and connecting members constitute a unitary mat structurecapable of application to Aand removal from, said bumper, as a separableelement. a 10. In a bumper of the class described, an

.impact element comprising a plurality of said stranded wire cablesextended lengthwise y cent ends bly a transverse connecting member ofrelative y softer metah compressed upon said ends and entering theperipheral interin spaced'relation and united at their adja' united'attheir adjacent ends by a'transverse stices thereof, to constitute anintegrated structure therewith, said impact element having a pluralityof said transverse connecting members arranged near the respective endsof the cables, whereby ysaid cables and connecting members constitute aunitary mat structure capable of application to and removal from, saidbumper as a separable,` element, and a resilient supporting bar. adaptedtovbe connected to a vehicle and having meansto. hold said cable matunder tension.

11. In .al bumperv of the class described, an impactelement comprising aplurality of ilexible members, such as cables extended lengthwise inspaced relation'and united at their adjacent ends by a transverseconnecting member; a resllient supporting bar adapted to be Isecured toa vehicle; and a holding member having a 'seat to receive saidconnecting mem` ber, and a slot to receive said supporting bar, bledrelation.

12. In a bumperl of the class described, an impact element comprising aplurality of flexible members such as cables or chainsextendedlengthwise. in vs aced relation and connecting member; a resilientsupporting bar adapted to be secured toa vehicle; and a holding memberhaving a seat to receive said .connecting member, and aslot to receivesaid supporting bar, and vmeans to hold said parts in assembledrelation, said holding member having spaced l grooves within which saidflexible members lie when said parts are as' sembIed.'

13. In abumperof theI class described, an

impact element comprising a plurality o` flexible members extendedlengthwise in spaced relation and united at their adjacent ends bytransverse connecting members; a re# .silient supporting'bar adapted tobe secured to a vehicle; a pair of holding members each l having a seatto receive a connecting member,

and means to hold said parts in assemand a slot to receive an end ofsaid.support,

ing bar, and means to hold said parts 1n assembled relation; and meansfor locking said y connecting members to said seats when the ends of thesupporting bar are under tension.

14.v In a bumper of the class described, an impact', elementcomprising aplurality of flexible members extended lengthwise in spaced relation andunited at their adjacent ends by transverse connecting members; aresilient supporting bar adapted to be secured to .a vehicle; and a pairof holding members each having a seat to receive one of said connectingmembers and a slot to receive said supporting bar, said resilientsupporting bar having its'middle port-ion formed with astiffening rib tolimit its resiliency, and having its ends bowed and held by 4said impactelevment maintaining it under tension.

15. In a bumper of thel type described, an impact element comprising aplurality or' iexible 'members extended lengthwise in spaced relationand united at their adjacent ends by transverse connecting members; aresilient supporting bar ladapted .to be secured to a vehicle, and apairof holding members each having a seat to receive one of saidconnecting me bers and a slot to receive saidl .supporting bar, saidresilient supportmg bar whereof,.I have signed this speciication.

RALPH H. ROSENB-ERG..

